Nadal is one of he all time greats - that is plain to see. However I would totally believe that Ellison would "manage" the courts to favor his man.

Are people so naive to think this doesn't ever happen?

Exactly. People are a little naive IMO if they believe this never happens, but in Ellison's case he seems to be a fan of all the top players, not just Nadal mostly for the sake of his tournament, although it wouldn't surprise me if he was more of a Nadal fan than any of the other top players.

I remember in 2012, he was fist pumping in the front row when Fed was coming back on Raonic and avoiding the upset.

And I also know from Federer's biography that at the TMC 2003 in Houston Jim McIngvale, the TD at the time was a massive Agassi fan. I mean, like #1 fanboy material, and at the time Federer said he wasn't happy with some aspect of the tournament (can't remember what it was right now) and Jim took offence. Said something like "I hope you get beaten badly and knocked out of the tournament. Of course, Federer proceeded to go on and win the tournament, trouncing Agassi in the final.

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Murrovic is just Simon-Monfils on steroids you see them doing their drills for hours and then it ends and you cannot remember a single point -NS

The weather is perfect for Nadal. Ellison made the weather sunny and dry as well. lol Miami is basically the same courts but in entirely different weather conditions. Thus why Nadal never won it. His shots don't kick up as much when the weather is extremely humid. Plus he already sweats too much. Humidity is his worst enemy.

It's true in 2014 too...Ellison is too biased towards Ralph...Not surprising the Indian Wells courts are perfectly suited to his style of play.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murrayfan31

The weather is perfect for Nadal. Ellison made the weather sunny and dry as well. lol Miami is basically the same courts but in entirely different weather conditions. Thus why Nadal never won it. His shots don't kick up as much when the weather is extremely humid. Plus he already sweats too much. Humidity is his worst enemy.

Rigged for Ralph with the full support of his cheer leading, golf buddy Ellison...Didn't work this time Ellison!

Funny you don't complain when there are pictures of Ellison cheering for Federer.

Ellison said in a NY Times interview a couple of years ago that he loves watching Federer - that Fed is the best tennis player he's seen and that Rafa is the best tennis athlete ever. He loves/loved Johnny Mac too. Must have been difficult for Ellison to choose whom to rig the tournament and the courts for when he loves both Fed and Rafa.